The Five Protomartyrs of the Franciscan Order (1220)

The Franciscan Order was officially approved in 1215. Five years later, and six years before Saint Francis of Assisi died, five members of his Order were killed by the Mohammedans. The names of these glorious Franciscan martyrs are: Saint Berard, Saint Peter, Saint Otho, Saint Accursius, and Saint Adjutus. Their death was the inspiration which led Saint Anthony of Padua, the most notable Franciscan saint after Saint Francis, to join the Franciscan order.

Five Franciscan Protomartyrs